Removing stuck rings

super99 · Jan 8, 2020

Got the pistons out of the 550, rings are stuck tight in the lands. Need to get them out to have pistons bead blasted to see if they can be reused. Any suggestions? Chris

jeffcat · Jan 8, 2020

Soak them in molasses? Has been suggested for all kinds of crud loosening on here. Just a suggestion. Gently heat them with a propane torch. GENTLY!!! Also boil in a pot of water. Water only gets to 212? so most stuff will not get destroyed.

Dopp Creek · Jan 8, 2020

My experience with aircraft (aluminum) pistons is never bead blast. You will never get them clean of the media. We used to say that the best solvent for blast media was hot engine oil (with all the collateral damage). Soak them for days in solvent, use a ring scraper in the lands and Scotchbrite on the top and sides. Patience is your friend.

teddy52food · Jan 8, 2020

Heat and cool a bunch of times & use ATF while hot.

rustred · Jan 8, 2020

those pistons look in nice shape. wont be too hard getting those rings out. just start at the gap and break them out. don't damage the piston grooves though, as they look tight and no wear.

IowaSam · Jan 8, 2020

Liquid Wrench is my go to "juice" for rusted parts.
I have freed 2 frozen motors, both took days of soaking before we tried pull starting them free.
That said... Soak them in a 5 gal bucket w/ lid in some diesel @ $4+/gal, W D 40 @ $20+/gal, or L W @ $40+/gal. The next day try to pry and tap them free at the gap.
Heat will help free things... I'll save you the Safety Speech, and just wish you Good Luck !
sam

LAA · Jan 8, 2020

Soak overnight in a half/half mix of acetone and diesel or acetone and ATF, really helps to put a 1/4? hose off your compressor in the tub and percolate the mixture on real low air volume while soaking.

Dick L · Jan 9, 2020

Drop them in a bucket of NAPA carburetor cleaner with the basket. Kinda expensive if you don't more use than soaking the pistons to get the 5 gallon bucket. The 1 gallon can might work though. Use rubber gloves or it can remove a layer of skin. It is not the same as the spray cans that in my opinion is for cleaning your hands or starter fluid in a pinch. As stated boiling them in water will help also. I boiled carburetors before placing the in a can of carburetor cleaner.

Bret4207 · Jan 9, 2020

Soak then down with your favorite "loose juice" and then start at the gap with a light mallet and tap the rings. Usually that will loosen them up. If it doesn't, then go back to the gap with a small screw driver and pry gently.

David G · Jan 9, 2020

I would not blast pistons, clean with wire wheel.

Raptor44 · Jan 9, 2020

I use Aerocroil. To me it's about the best out there. Spray them down then wrap with a torn sheet and spray again. Then gentled tap them out from the gaps. Respray if needed. Good luck.

the tractor vet · Jan 9, 2020

Well for me the way i would remove them i would place them in a vice and get my handy dandy home made piston ring removal tool out and my elf hammer and sever up a batch of broken stuck rings . Then to clean those pistons up i would use my secret cooking compound and Boil them . Dawn Dish soap and super HOT WATER . Then take a stiff bristle brush to them every so often . NO GLASS BEADING .

docmirror · Jan 9, 2020

I vote warm overnight soak in NAPA or Berryman carb cleaner. I've seen that remove all kinds of stuff.

But - carbon is the hardest element on earth. It's what diamonds are made of in crystalline structure, so some of it is going to have to come off with good ole dental pick tools. Break out the rings after soaking, and try not to screw up the ring groove edges.

One could also go ultrasonic for the carbon that won't come off, as that may dislodge some of it without the pick.

No blast media

Removing stuck rings

super99

Well-known Member

jeffcat

Well-known Member

Dopp Creek

Member

teddy52food

Well-known Member

rustred

Well-known Member

IowaSam

New User

LAA

Well-known Member

Dick L

Well-known Member

Bret4207

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

Raptor44

Member

the tractor vet

Well-known Member

docmirror

Well-known Member

Similar threads